Storing energy for later use is a key mechanism which enables smarter, more flexible energy systems particularly as we continue to decarbonise our energy system with the growth of renewable generation. The benefits will become even more pronounced as investments in battery technology continue and increasing large scale production sees the price of batteries decrease.
For community energy projects, incorporating energy storage has the following benefits:
- Enables increased output, and therefore revenue, from renewable energy projects particularly in constrained areas
- Allows connection to the grid more quickly in constrained areas
- Helps to reduce the variation in power output from intermittent generators and smooth the normal peaks and troughs of the daily load profile
- Helps energy consumers to manage their energy demand, use their energy more flexibly and save money on their bills
- Provides secure and resilient energy supplies during power outages.
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most common types of electrical energy storage technologies which are being used in the majority of new and planned grid-scale energy storage projects, domestic properties and Electric Vehicles.
HIE’s Electrical Energy Storage module offers more detail on the different types of electrical energy storage and their applications.